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Is there still a place for 2D mechanical drawing in a world increasingly dominated by expensive parametric 3D design software? Autodesk developers obviously think so, and the company backs up their 2D convictions by releasing the new AutoCAD Mechanical 6 Power Pack. As a follow up to the AutoCAD Mechanical products released in conjunction with AutoCAD R14, 2000, and 20001, Mechanical 6 integrates the previously separated PowerPack 2D libraries with an enhanced collection of menus and programs that automate the drudgery of 2D mechanical layout and detailing.
Crafted as a mechanical engineering and drafting toolbox for 2D-based designers and detailers, Mechanical 6 has a lot of content and capability for $900 over the standard AutoCAD 2002 price tag. Of course you could customize AutoCAD with programming routines, block libraries, and external add-ons to perform many of the same tasks, but why waste the time when you can just purchase a solution ready to go? AutoCAD Mechanical won't teach you what a drill bushing or split washer is and it won't teach you how to annotate welds or finish marks, but it will allow you to draw them with ease. AutoCAD Mechanical rather assumes you're a competent mechanical designer/dafter who needs help with the mechanics of designing and drafting 2D output.
Getting Started
To get rolling you'll first have to install Mechanical 6 just as you would a standard version of AutoCAD, but do take care to note which standards libraries you wish to install when the program asks for them. By default the ANSI, ISO, and DIN component libraries are installed, the latter two of which could cause confusion for U.S.-based designers who don't use metric parts. You can also select other world standards, specifically JIS for interaction with Japanese companies. After installation is complete just obtain your authorization code and you're ready to go.
Upon starting the Mechanical package you'll notice that the familiar AutoCAD user interface has been enhanced to include new Mechanical and PowerPack support items via the Design, Annotate, and Content drop-- down menus and the Power Pack Content toolbar, as shown in Figure 3. As I was with prior versions of AutoCAD Mechanical, I continue to be impressed with how much functionality is packed into such a clean interface. If...